The Supreme Court has issued notice to the state governments, the central government, administrations of the Union Territories and the Drug Controller of India on a petition which seeks directions to buy drugs as per their generic name inspite of buying the medicines which are marketed under different pharmaceutical brands. The court said that although the National Health Policy was introduced in 2002 for the use of generic drugs, but it is not yet properly implemented.

14-Aug-2014Politics

Home Minister Rajnath Singh admitted to AIIMS

Home Minister Rajnath Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after he complained of pain in his lower abdomen. Singh was admitted to AIIMS’ Gastroenterology department and was kept under observation. According to media reports, Singh had to attend the parliament on Thursday and, therefore, the tests were conducted on Wednesday night so that inconvenience is not caused to the common people.

14-Aug-2014Others

SC: Children below the age of 12 should not be allowed to participate in 'Dahi Handi'

The Supreme Court has said that the children below the age of 12 years should not be allowed to participate in the ‘Dahi Handi’ ceremony. It also said that it is the responsibility of the state government to ensure that the organisers of such events should follow the guidelines and the necessary safety measures. ‘Dahi Handi’ is commonly celebrated during the festival of Janamashtmi and includes formation of human pyramids to break the earthern pot filled with buttermilk tied at a great height.

14-Aug-2014Others

CBI conducts raids at 28 locations under Saradha scam

The CBI has conducted raids at 28 different locations which includes residence of former minister in relation to the Saradha chit fund scam of Rs 10,000 crore. Searches are on in 28 different locations including Delhi, Kolkata, Odisha and Guwahati. According to an official, the residence of the managing director chief of Saradha group, Sudipo Sen was also raided. The scam's investigation was handed over to the CBI in May 2014 by the Supreme Court and the state governments were asked to give the necessary logistical support to the agency.

14-Aug-2014Science and Technology

Sony India launches new headphones and earphones

Sony India has launched two pairs of new headphones and a set of earphones. The headphones MDR-XB450 and MDR-XB250 will be priced at Rs. 1490 and Rs. 2190 respectively. These headphones will be available in different colours, i.e., black, yellow, blue, white and red. The earphones named MDR-AS200 will be priced at Rs 790 and is expected to be available in the Indian markets from September, and the headphones from August.

14-Aug-2014Politics

Judicial Appointments Bill to be introduced in Rajya Sabha today

The Judicial Appointment Bill will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha today. The bill﻿ that seeks to scrap the collegium system of appointing Supreme Court and High Court judges﻿ was passed by the Lower House on Wednesday. The central government has 60 members in the Rajya Sabha and it needs support from the Congress which has 69 members so that the bill can be converted into a legislation. Once the bill is passed, the government will have a say in the appointments of the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. According to Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad﻿, the bill will not encroach on the independence of the judiciary, it will provide for wider consultations for appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts﻿.

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14-Aug-2014Business

Gold import rules to stay until next year

The World Gold Council (WGC) has said that the demand for gold will fall in 2014 as the restrictions on imports are expected to continue and remain in place. The industry body has said that the demand for gold will be 850-950 tonne in 2014. The government had raised the import duty on gold at a record of 10 per cent and made it compulsory that a fifth of all bullion imports should be exported. As per reports, with such restrictions, it is expected that the smuggling of gold will be rampant.

14-Aug-2014Business

Adani Power to buy Udupi thermal plant for Rs 6,000 crore

Adani Power will acquire the 1,200 MW Udupi thermal plant of Lanco Infrastructure in a deal worth Rs 6,000 crore. As per the deal, Rs 2,000 will be given to Lanco and Rs. 4,000 crore will be used as long-term debt in Udupi Power. Earlier, Lanco Udupi Power signed a contract with the Karnataka government for further expansion of the capacity of the plant by 1,320 MW. The proposed acquisition is expected to expand the portfolio of Adani Power.

14-Aug-2014Others

Passengers from abroad checked for Ebola at Lucknow airport

All the passengers coming from abroad are being checked for the Ebola virus at the Lucknow airport. At the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, paramedical staff and the doctors have been placed to check the passengers for the Ebola virus. A separate ward with six beds has been set up to treat the suspected cases at the Lokbandhu hospital. According to a senior official, there is no need to worry as adequate precautions are being taken by the authorities in this matter.

14-Aug-2014Sports

Sushil Kumar to skip Asian Games

Star wrestler Sushil Kumar will not be participating in the World championships in Tashkent Uzbekistan and the Asian Games which are to be held in Incheon,South Korea. The Secretary General of the Wrestling Federation of India, Raj Singh said that Sushil has told the federation that he will not be taking part in both the sports events as he wants to concentrate on the Rio Olympics to be held in 2016. The federation has also relieved the gold winners of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games – Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt and Amit Kumar from participating in the wrestling trials.